Holland America has been wowing passengers on the world’s oceans since the 1800s and it’s full steam ahead to mark its latest milestone.
The only cruise line with a dedicated culinary council, a floating art gallery valued at more than US$4.1 million, world-class live music performances, and 500 itineraries to more than 470 ports – Holland America has come a long way from its humble beginnings 150 years ago.
To celebrate its milestone anniversary, it has launched a series of ‘Heritage Cruises’ that will immerse you in the cruise line’s heritage and exceptional hospitality.
Heritage Cruises with Holland America Line
Forty-eight cruises will be rolled out across 2023. Cruising to Alaska, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii, South America and Mexico.
Each takes in the quintessential sights guests expect – the storied laneways and cerulean waters of the Mediterranean; floral-scented valleys and black-sand beaches of Hawaii; and the picturesque port town of Picton, the gateway to one of New Zealand’s most famed wine regions, Marlborough.
Exclusive Heritage Cruises Experiences
As well as sensational destinations Heritage Cruises offer exclusive experiences. For the foodies, dinner menus will showcase Holland America Line’s history with regional-based Heritage Dishes. For a bit of fun, the Throwback Happy Hour rolls back time and features select drinks priced as low as 75 cents. Each cruise has a Dutch High Tea with traditional sweets like Oliebollen, Specoolus, mini bossche bollen, Gugelhupf and Tompouce, and tea sandwiches including smoked salmon on curry bread and chicken satay in peanut sauce on spiced bread.
They’ll also be classic cruise activities, sporting games and anniversary-themed trivia. The special port fact sheets showcasing fun, historic and unique facts about the Heritage Ports will be your key to acing the trivia.
Highlight cruises include:
14-Day Best of Norway
Departing and returning to Amsterdam, the fourteen-day Best of Norway cruise onboard Rotterdam sails around Norway with three 2023 departures. 15 – 29 July, 12 – 26 August and 9 – 23 September.
17-Day Panama Canal & Inca Discovery
Departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida and concluding in San Antonio (Santiago), Chile, the seventeen-day Panama Canal & Inca Discovery cruise onboard Oosterdam sails through the Panama Canal to Ecuador, Peru and Chile from 9 November – 2 December 2023.
11-Day Adriatic Dream
Departing and returning to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, the eleven-day Adriatic Dream cruise onboard Nieuw Statendam sails to Naples, Dubrovnik, Cofu and Olympia from 19 October – 9 November 2023.
7-Day Mexican Riviera
Departing and returning to San Diego, the seven-day Mexican Riviera cruise onboard Koningsdam sails to Cabo San Luxan, Mazatlan and Peurto Vallarta from 11 – 18 November 2023.
150th Anniversary Celebrations
Along with the Heritage Cruises, all of Holland America’s cruises will have 150th-anniversary celebrations.
On board, head to the World Stage for ‘Origin Story’. The visual story runs you through the company’s history from its founding through the present day.
Guests can experience the Captain’s Gala Menu – a collection of classic dishes, with every option coming from a previous Holland America Line menu. Three new anniversary cocktails, limited edition pilsner
Bucket list Alaska cruising
For those seeking a bucket-list experience, it’s all to be found in Holland America’s Alaska cruises, says the cruise line’s VP of sales and marketing, Ryan Taibel.
“People are excited to travel more to unique destinations and why wouldn’t they? Guests can get close to Alaska glaciers at Glacier Bay National Park and Tracy Arm Fjord, go on an epic Alaska fishing trip, seek the Northern Lights or get up close to wildlife unique to this region.
For explorers who want to see more of Alaska, we offer an inland exploration of Denali National Park. We’re also the only cruise line that extends land tours up to Canada’s Yukon territory, and we have 121 cruises to the US state between April and September this year alone.”
Life on board
On board, you’ll get a taste of why Holland America has grown steadily in popularity since its 19th-century launch.
Enjoy immersive culinary experiences and award-winning dinning in specialty restaurants. Join interactive learning sessions through BBC Earth Experience and Explorations Central (EXC™) ensuring you leave more knowledgeable about a destination than when you arrived.
For those who prefer relaxation over education, Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers a blend of signature spa rituals and healing treatments.
Floating art
For the art aficionado, there’s the floating art gallery and its 2,500 works on new ship, Rotterdam.
While the ship’s interior design is an artwork in its own right. The work of preeminent hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany who took inspiration from musical instruments in the design. The atrium a stainless-steel sculpture representing a string quartet. Tihany says he wanted the ship’s interiors to “stir emotions and create a lasting impression”.
It’s a mantra that rings true for any Holland America cruise.
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